>>40427012the difference is the elements of harmony required its users to resemble their respective element, and to be friendly and harmonious with each other.
the discord two-parter is an example of why the elements aren't overpowered, because discord was capable of breaking the friendship between the mane 6, making the elements functionally useless. it was only when twilight was able to mend their friendship that the elements were able to be used.
but nobody was using the elements with cozy glow, and in fact, all the potential candidates were out of commission (mane 6 too far, student 6 in the magic bubble thing). the tree of harmony just randomly decided it didn't need anyone to USE the elements for it to be able to use its full power anyway, so cozy lost to a random retcon
